Demonstrate procedures for calibrating a fertilizer spreader or injector.
Demonstration should include
- selecting the calibration method for the type of spreader being used (e.g., rotary, drop)
- using mathematical concepts
- selecting PPE for the tasks.
Teacher Resources:
- Accurate Application and Placement of Chemicals on Lawns Links to an external site., Virginia Cooperative Extension
- An Exercise in Calibration: Accurate Applications of Granular Products without Rotary Spreader Calibration Links to an external site., Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Application without Calibration (video),
Links to an external site.
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Calibrating Your Lawn Spreader Links to an external site., Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Calibration Links to an external site., T. David Reed, Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Calibration of Sprayers Links to an external site., Part XVII of Agronomy Handbook 2023, Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Fine Tuning a Sprayer with “Ounce” Calibration Method Links to an external site., Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Nutrient Management for Golf Courses, Links to an external site. Virginia Cooperative Extension
Process/Skill Questions:
- What is the weight of fertilizer that must be applied in the calibration run to have the spreader deliver 1.6 pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet, assuming the swath width of the spreader is 3-feet, and the test strip is 100 feet long?
- How much fertilizer will be needed to apply 0.5-pound nitrogen (N) per 1,000 square feet to the turfgrass, when applying a 30-0-10 fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound of N per 1,000 square feet, making two coverage passes perpendicular to each other, with each pass delivering half the desired rate (0.5-pounds N per 1,000 square feet)?